A simple fall might not seem like a serious misfortune but when it happens to elderly people it could spell the difference between independence and immobility or even between life and death.

With this in mind, the authorities are touring localities giving elderly people advice on how to avoid potentially fatal falls.

Speaking during the first seminar for pensioners and their relatives on the subject, at Żejtun's home for the elderly, Community Care Parliamentary Secretary Mario Galea said a study carried out in Nottingham found that the number of elderly people who suffered falls dropped by 3.5 per cent after they were told how to avoid them.

He said falls were common and could be devastating when they happened to over-65-year-olds.

"It can cause complications, with some even dying as a repercussion of the fall," Mr Galea said.

In a light moment, Mr Galea described a bad fall he had last year as he walked into a Floriana church while fiddling with his mobile phone.

"I slipped and the phone went flying out of my hand as I skidded along the floor. I just got up quickly, saying I was unhurt but later realised that my legs were badly bruised," the 48-year-old said, adding that such a fall could have had very serious repercussions had it happened to someone 20 years his senior.

He pointed out that a lot of obstacles that could cause falls could be removed from the house. "Do not leave any wires running across rooms because you can easily trip in them," he told his elderly audience.

And while animals can be good company for elderly people, especially those living on their own, care had to be taken not to trip over them.

The bathroom is one of the most dangerous places for falls due to the wet floors and soap. Mr Galea said strong grab rails were essential for elderly people and recommended that they use liquid soap rather than a bar, which could easily slip out of the hands and cause an accident.

More tips are included in a booklet compiled by the Falls Prevention Task Force, which is available in health centres, hospitals and homes for the elderly. The booklet points out that falls are the biggest cause of accidents in over- 65-year-olds and a primary cause of serious injuries and accidental deaths.

"Even healthy elderly can fall, with women being more prone to falls than men," the booklet says.

But although elderly people can make some changes inside the home to make it safer, they often complain about the bad state of pavements which could lead to falls.

"They are right to complain," Mr Galea said, adding that they should contact the local council immediately if they notice any potholes in the hope that they are fixed.

In November 2008, Colin Farrar, a 70-year-old who had decided to retire in Malta, fractured his hip after falling into a deep hole in the pavement while walking along the Buġibba promenade.

In a letter to The Times last February, Mario Tabone, from Leicestershire, said his 78-year-old mother-in-law had fractured her shoulder in two places after tripping on a ramp on the pavement, also in Buġibba.

Some dos and don'ts

• Remove carpets or tape down the corners to avoid them rolling up.

• Make sure there is enough light in rooms and install lights that switch on automatically with a sensor for during the night.

• Keep things that are used often in a reachable place to avoid having to climb on chairs to get them.

• Immediately wipe any water from the floor to avoid slippery surfaces.

• Keep the Telecare pendant close at all times.